U-23 WNT Set to Travel to Croatia for Istria Cup

U-23 WNTFeb 16, 2016

CHICAGO (Feb. 16, 2016) – The U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team will travel to Croatia for its first overseas trip of the year to play three matches in the eight-team Istria Cup, which runs from March 2-7.

The USA opens the competition on March 2 against the full Slovenia Women’s National Team, will face the Poland Under-19 Women’s National Team on March 4 and finishes against the France National “B” Team. France’s full Women’s National Team will be competing in the SheBelieves Cup during that time in the United States.

The other teams in the tournament are the full National Teams of Croatia, Slovakia and Northern Ireland, as well as the Hungary National “B” Team. Those four teams will play games against each other. The full Hungary Women’s National Team will be competing in the Cyprus Cup during that time.

The U.S. will be coached by Janet Rayfield, who has called up 20 players to travel to central Europe, 11 of whom are already in the NWSL or preparing for their rookie seasons this spring. Eight are collegiate players while one has finished her college eligibility.

One player –Rose Lavelle of Wisconsin – spent most of January training with the full U.S. Women’s National Team in Los Angeles.

The roster includes nine players who have represented the USA in a FIFA Women’s World Cup at the youth level.

UPDATE: Chicago Red Stars midfielder and the 2015 NWSL Rookie of the Year Danielle Colaprico was originally named to the roster, but replaced due to injury by Western New York Flash draftee Michaela Hahn.